During an appearance on the Podpah podcast, Brazilian and ex-Barcelona player Neymar Jr. revealed why he turned down a “blank check” from Real Madrid to join FC Barcelona.
After an injury-plagued spell at Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on a lucrative contract, the Santos-produced player returned to the Sao Paulo state seaside club that gave the world Pele and Rodrygo.
Neymar Reveals Madrid’s Approach and Rejection
In the early 2010s, Neymar rose to global recognition and had several elite clubs battling for Brazil’s most talked-about talent.
The player recently gave an interview with the Podpah podcast, in which he revealed that Barcelona’s arch-rival approached him with a blank check and rejected the contract without considering its financial impact.
On the Podpah podcast, Neymar discussed that period in history. “Real Madrid’s offer was a blank check; they told me I could have whatever I wanted,” he maintained.
The veteran further said: “But I loved Barca with all my heart. At Real Madrid, I would have earned three times as much money. Florentino [Perez] always liked me. But Ronaldinho had played there [at Barca], and I wanted to play with [Lionel] Messi.”
Neymar Talks Pep Bayern Munich Approach
Not only did the player talk about the approach of Barcelona and Real Madrid and why he rejected the latter, but the player also spoke about Pep’s interest in having him at Bayern Munich.
Neymar revealed: “I almost went to Bayern [Munich] with Pep Guardiola leaving Barca to take a one-year sabbatical and then lead the Bavarians in 2013.”
“After winning the Puskas prize, my father called me at two in the morning. I answered, and he told me to open the door… I was in my underpants. My father, Pep Guardiola, and the translator were there!”
Pep told me, ‘I want to sign you and take you with me, no matter which club I attend. I’ll make you the best player in the world.”
Linked with a potential return to Barcelona, it remains to be seen if the club could make further financial moves to accommodate the veteran in the summer.
